SHADYSIDE — Planning for the 54th annual Shadyside Relays has been underway for several weeks. This year’s track and field invitational event will be held on the traditional third Saturday of April, April 19.

This year’s event, however, will be held at Nelson Field in Bellaire. Unfortunately, the Shadyside track facilities received damage from a major hillside slip, causing the 3 outer lanes of the track to buckle up, making the surface unsafe.

Superintendent John Haswell said, “The slip has been repaired and stabilized by the school. Unfortunately the track base and final running surface will not be able to be completed and applied until adequate warm weather occurs.”

The field events will begin at 9 a.m. The preliminary-qualifying running events, including some finals, will begin at 10. The opening ceremony and finals will begin shortly after 1 p.m.

Since the first event in 1972, the Shadyside Relays has been labeled as “Ohio’s Finest” and continues to be a community and school event to showcase local student-athletes. Shadyside High School continues to be a valued partner. HS Athletic Director John Triveri said, “The Athletic Department of Shadyside High School is proud to be a contributing partner to provide such a high quality event for the student-athletes.”

The Shadyside Relays Committee is composed of several community and school people led by Jayson Johnson, long time President and Chairperson. Johnson said, “The Relays is certainly one of the premier track and field events throughout the state and region; but could not be such a high quality meet without the great support form the school, community, businesses and the vast amount of people who help.”

Jenna Coyne will again be serving as the Meet Director, a role she has performed for more than a decade. She emphasized that her role as Director of the Shadyside Relays and other meets could not be done without the many officials, committee members and people who help. “We especially want to thank Bellaire High School Track and Field Coach Shawn Valloric and Bellaire High School for allowing us to utilize their facilities.” The complete Shadyside Relays Committee, under the leadership of Johnson, is composed of this group of dedicated people: President and Chairperson Johnson, Assistant Chairperson and Treasurer Jeremy Sims, Meet Director Coyne, Meet Manager Donna Joseph, Kameron Kubancik, Jerry Narcisi, Melanie Haswell, Bob Caldwell, Brady Stewart, Gay Lucci, Nick Ferrelli, Coaches Ashley Visnic and Alex Krupa and AD John Triveri.

As customary, a Reception/Social will be held the evening before the Relays, Friday, April 18, 6 p.m. at the Shadyside American Legion. This activity is held at no cost to the committee, meet officials, school officials, major sponsors, special guests and their respective guests. The general public is invited at $10 per person and $15 per couple.

Ironically, the Bellaire Relays were held in Shadyside last spring due to flooding at Nelson Field in Bellaire.